Brief Reminders

There was once a person who made wudhu, called out the azaan and then called the people around him to join him for salaah. However, it was 9am and he was dressed in only a short pants! “What salaah are you performing?” one person asked. “Zuhr,” he replied. “But it’s still 9am! It’s not yet time for Zuhr!” the people objected. “Never mind!” he responded, “That’s a small thing! The main thing is that I’m reading Zuhr!” “How can you perform salaah wearing only short-pants?” another person enquired. Once again, he replied, “That’s a small thing! The main thing is that I’m reading Zuhr!”

Although the above example may be farfetched, it aptly highlights the importance of knowing how and when to fulfil the commands of Allah Ta‘ala. If one fails to observe these two essential aspects, then instead of earning the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala – which is the very objective – he will earn His displeasure.

Once upon a time, the father of the home would ‘load’ his family into the car on a Sunday, or during the holiday, and from the morning until the evening, they would go from ‘khaalah to khaalah’ (from one aunt to the next), visiting their various family members.

As they entered the various homes, the cheeks of the children would be pinched and a kiss or two would be given before they would be allowed to run off and play with the children of the home. The men would sit together and ‘catch up’ while the women would likewise enjoy each others’ company. The kettle would be boiled, and whatever was available, no matter how simple it may be, would be served. When it was time to depart, the visiting family would seldom leave empty handed, and even the children would at least be given a lollipop to take home. These visits were regular features of the weekends and holidays and were emphasized by one and all. As a result, love and unity was maintained in the family and all the members were well acquainted with one another.

“Rise to the occasion” is an English maxim that is often heard and well known. The gist of this maxim is that a person should try to change and adapt in order to improve his reaction and performance under a special set of circumstances. One example of this may be a person who is suddenly faced by an emergency, yet remains level-headed and does not panic, rather adapting to the situation and securing his safety.

A person will encounter different occasions throughout his life, and the circumstances and tests of each occasion will vary. In order to pass the test, one will have to try his best to “rise to the occasion” by behaving in the manner that is expected of him at that time.

In this manner, Deen also presents us with different occasions. From a wedding to a janaazah – the demand of each occasion and the nature of each test is different. However, for a person to be able to ‘rise to the occasion’, he will have to know how to please Allah Ta‘ala in each and every situation, together with how to avoid inconveniencing people.

“Excuse me! May I have your attention please!” Yet, despite the repeated requests, the plea fell on deaf ears and was totally ignored.

The above scenario plays out in many spheres of life. Sometimes, it’s an obstinate member of the staff that ‘plays dumb’ and chooses to ignore their employer. At times, it can be a friend that chooses to ignore us. At other times, it can even be our own near and dear ones that give us the cold shoulder, and it is from these people that this treatment is most painful and upsetting.

If a spouse hurts or upsets their partner, and out of disappointment, the partner gives them the ‘cold shoulder’ and ‘silent treatment’, it will hurt and disturb them more than if any other person had to ignore them. From one-word answers to point-blank silence, the anxiety and disappointment perceived will be so severe that one will lose their appetite and will even find it difficult to sleep!

Imagine receiving an elaborately wrapped gift platter filled with the most exotic sweet meats. From burfee to magaj and jalebee to halwa, the platter promises the taste buds a trip to gastronomic ‘heaven’. However, as you undo the wrapping and pull back the cellophane, you see a flash of movement. No! A giant cockroach darts out from behind the burfee block and climbs over the goolaab jamoon in its race for freedom!

This is a typical example of an anticlimax. A person expected one thing, and everything seemed promising, and suddenly, things turned out completely contrary to expectations.